The HyperX Cloud II headphone is the second generation of headphones from the manufacturer HyperX. Completely revised copy to obtain a mature product that presents the best quality-price ratio in this range. Let’s find out what makes this headphone one of the best companions in Sim Racing!

II. Design and construction

Conception

The Cloud II is rather classic in its construction: red anodized aluminum headband covered with foam, and plastic rotating shells. The microphone is retractable.

A one meter jack cable runs from the headphone to the control box. This one is not removable on the headphone side. This is a criticism that comes up regularly, even though I personally prefer it: it is often the connectors that get loose and cause false contacts.

The control box, which we will come back to, is very compact while offering a good grip. It is connected to the PC by a two meter USB cable. Yes! there are three meters between the headset and the PC! Ideal when the latter is far from the simulator.

The quality of manufacture is irreproachable and one deals with materials of quality. The design is rather sober, each one will appreciate it according to its tastes.

Confort

The comfort is excellent with 350g. The adjustable headband distributes the weight well on the head, provided that the shells are raised enough (I always tend to wear them too low). The weight is contained but it will be necessary to correctly manage its cable under penalty of seeing three meters of cable pulling on the left shell.

In addition, the headphones are supplied with two types of ear pads:

• Foam
• Leather-like memory foam (recommended for audio quality)

These foams of oval forms make it possible to include perfectly ears until 7cm of height, and 4cm wide, and thus to propose a very good passive insulation of the external noises. One will be able to thus use this helmet of long hours. For more comfort, we will turn to a system of speakers like the Logitech 5.1 Z906.

The microphone is at the end of a 9cm articulated rod, so the adjustment is very practical, especially when you also have a VR headset on your head.

III. Audio and in-game quality

The HyperX Cloud II offers a very satisfying audio quality thanks to its 53mm diameter speakers. Deep bass, clear vocals and good balance. You’ll probably have to double the budget to get significantly better sound. The Cloud II doesn’t make the mistake of overloading with bass, although we might have appreciated more detail.

The headphones do just as well in gaming as in music listening. Be careful though: if you go out with this headphones on your head to listen to your favorite music, everyone will know at first glance who you really are!

Spatialization 7.1

One of the features highlighted on Cloud II is the ability to enable 7.1 spacialization. Let’s briefly recall the basics: spacializing the sound means allowing the listener to determine whether the sound is coming from the front, the back, the left, the right, etc… This is usually done by placing several speakers around the listener. 7.1 means therefore 7 speakers (1 in front, 4 in the four corners, 2 on the sides and a subwoofer).

Immediately one wonders how a headphone, equipped with only two speakers can offer a 7.1 sound? Basically: by playing with phases, reverberation and other subtle sound characteristics.

Is it efficient ? Not really… we are very far from a “true” 5.1 or 7.1 system that allows us to determine with our eyes closed if an opponent is positioned on our right wing. It’s obviously hard to describe the sound rendering in words, but basically you get a sound that does have a bit more depth, but that’s it. I’m going to be a bit harsh, but it feels like it adds echo… That said, even if the name is misleading, I must say that it brings a little extra, and that in general, I like to turn it on. Finally, this virtual spatialization is fully managed by the USB control box and therefore does not require any software settings, it’s always a win!

The microphone

The Cloud II’s microphone is within the industry standard. It’s the one I use when I record videos on my PC like this arduino tutorial.

IV Features

Compatibility

The headphones are plugged into a jack and can therefore be connected to any sound source with a jack output. It is said that the sound can be greatly improved with a good quality amp. I did not test it because the control box on which we come back afterwards is too practical! (then I don’t have a good headphone amp, so it’s fixed).

The control box behaves like an external sound card. The list of compatible sources for the Hyper Cloud II is long: PC, Xbox One, Xbox One S, PS4, PS4 Pro, Mac, Mobile and VR.

Control Box

The Cloud II’s control box is probably the “plus” that makes this headset a must-have: It allows you to adjust the sound of the headset and the microphone independently, activate the 7.1 surround sound, and there’s even a button on the side that allows you to mute the microphone… A button that is a bit too discrete, since many users thought their microphones were defective before realizing that this button had been inadvertently activated.

To top it all off, there is a pin on the back that allows you to attach the control box wherever it suits you.

Personally I always have this box wedged between my leg and the bucket seat. It’s the best thing ever!

V Conclusion

HyperX has scored big with the Cloud II. So many qualities in an affordable headphone, no wonder it is the most popular headset in gaming or Sim Racing, far ahead of its competitor the Logitech G Pro X.

HyperX Cloud II:

The best value for money

Excellent build quality, good sound and a whole host of features, what more could you want?

Check the price on Amazon HyperX website

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In this review, we’re going to take a look at the Logitech Z906, a mid-range 5.1 surround speaker system designed for gaming use, and particularly suited to Sim Racing. We’ll evaluate the features of this system, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses to help you decide if it’s the right system for you to enhance your gaming experience.

The Logitech Z906 is composed of 5 satellite speakers and a subwoofer, in which the motherboard is integrated (sound amplification, source and speaker connections). Logitech provides the cables for the speakers and you will just have to find an outlet not too far away for the subwoofer. We will then have to find mounting solutions for the satellite speakers, we’ll talk about it later!

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2.Configuration and installation

Connectivity

The software configuration of the Logitech Z906 is “pretty” simple. First, you need to decide how you’re going to get the Z906 to communicate with your source. Let’s use a PC as an example. It can be connected in the following ways:

• 3.5mm Jack: Basic solution but still effective. You will need to use three 3.5mm jack cables (5.1 = 6 channels). To do this, you must have a motherboard with RCA 5.1 or add an internal or external sound card.
• RCA : only for 2 channels so forget it. Just use it as an AUX to use with your phone by example.
• Optical: probably the most practical since it requires only one cable. It is also the most economical solution because many motherboards that do not offer RCA 5.1 include an optical output. If this is not the case, again, you will need to add an internal or external sound card.

Installing the speakers is simple: just connect the speakers to the corresponding ports on the subwoofer (which integrates the amplifier), then connect the control box to the subwoofer via the VGA socket. The system is then ready for use. Logitech supplies 4.6m and 7.6m audio cables. To make the installation cleaner, I advise you to use this kind of braided cable. The satellite speakers can be attached from the back where there is an UNC 1/4″ screw thread. Many brackets are available on Amazon, and personally I use 3D printed brackets that I will share soon.

Positioning

You can install the speakers around the steering wheel and above the monitor, or at the four corners of the rig without any issue.

Concerning the subwoofer, we prefer to put it in front or behind the simulator. In any case avoid to move it too far away in the room: it goes up quite a lot in the highs and in some cases we manage “to position it at the ear”.

You can then control the Logitech Z906 thanks to the box (which must be connected because it “turns on” the system) or the remote control. And let’s be honest: as much as it can be sometimes complicated to configure the 5.1, once in place, it’s a press on the “Power” button, you adjust the sound and it’s ready! Speaking of 5.1: the control box allows you to make sure at a glance that the configuration is correct: if the Z906 receives a 5.1 signal, all the speakers will be displayed in yellow.

In short, the setup and installation of the Logitech Z906 is as quick and easy as installing a sound system like this can be.

3.Sound quality

The sound quality of the Logitech Z906 is exceptional for this price. The bass is deep and the treble detailed, which allows a total immersion in the game.

The satellite speakers (all but the subwoofer) are designed around a single 3″ speaker. We won’t ask these speakers to give us AC/DC at full blast, but once again for the price we are not disappointed! Especially since it must be said: in Sim Racing you don’t necessarily need a very detailed midrange and especially a very detailed treble. The 5.1 surround technology offers an immersive sound experience that immerses you in the action. The 8″ subwoofer is responsible for delivering deep bass that gives a whole new level of immersion in the game.

Remote control

Users can also adjust the volume and balance of the speakers to customize the sound experience to their preferences and speaker placement. The system also has a virtual surround sound mode that allows for surround sound on devices that don’t support 5.1 surround technology. But hey. It’s not as good.

In terms of power, we are also very well served: I generally use the installation around 15-20% when I am not alone. Otherwise, with 40%-50% the sound level is already high and to go higher would be frankly unpleasant. Unexpected point: by lowering the volume to 5%-10% one can enjoy the surround sound without disturbing anyone.

The satellite speakers are rated for 67W each and the subwoofer is rated for 67W.

In short, we are facing an unbeatable quality-price ratio! You’d have to spend twice the amount to start hearing a noticeable gain. In sim racing use it does the job perfectly, and more generally in Gaming or even in Cinema! If you have more high-end installations to recommend, we’re interested!

4.Application in sim racing

When used in sim racing, the Logitech Z906 provides an immersive sound experience that enhances the perception of surrounding sounds, such as engine noise, tire screeching and crash sounds. This can help improve driving performance by giving a better sense of where other vehicles are on the track.

In terms of immersion, it is incomparable to any other system (headphones, sound bar etc etc). The most striking experience for me is when you are stopped in the pit and opponents pass by on the track very quickly before moving away: the sound joins the image!

The 5.1 system is compatible with all the current simulations, but the ultimate experience is definitely on ACC.

I’m used to riding with a headphone, and I appreciate the quality of the sound without tiring my ears.

In summary, using the Logitech Z906 in sim racing provides an immersive sound experience that enhances the perception of surrounding sounds and improves driving performance. The 5.1 surround technology provides additional immersion.

5.Construction and design

The build quality of the Logitech Z906 is very good, like the rest of the brand’s products. I must admit I was very surprised on the day of delivery by the weight and size of the package. Again, you get what you pay for. The design is elegant and discreet, it will fit perfectly in any gaming environment.

The subwoofer is built in a melamine box (nothing like it for audio). The satellite speakers are largely made of plastic with a metal thread and grill, as well as a non-slip pad.

The cables are…… of the cables. We will appreciate all the same the presence of a marking of the ground wire, and a length waaaaaay more than correct.

The remote control is known to be fragile: so we do not throw it through the living room! That being said, even if the plastic is brittle, it remains functional.

6. Compatibility and price

The Logitech Z906 is compatible with a variety of devices, such as computers, televisions, Blu-ray players and game consoles. The easiest solution will usually be to use the optical input which supports Dolby Digital and DTS.

On Windows, this can be used without using an additional driver. In terms of simulation, all modern sims support 5.1.

As far as the price is concerned, it will be quickly forgotten after years of happy use.

7. Conclusion

In conclusion, the Logitech Z906 is an incredible value for money 5.1 surround speaker system for use in sim racing. It offers an immersive sound experience with its exceptional sound quality, 5.1 surround technology and subwoofer. Multiple connectivity and a dedicated control box allow for easy setup and operation. The build quality and design are excellent, just like what the brand offers with the Logitech G29.

Quite simply, this is the most popular sound system in Sim Racing.

With a lower budget, you can turn to the Z506 which remains in the same spirit.

Another sound system to recommend? Tell us in comments!

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The warmth of a tube sound!

If you’ve never listened to a tube amp, this is definitely something to do. It’s hard to describe the audio difference. It’s generally said that the sound is “warmer”, more organic. Personally, that’s what I have on my guitar amp (a Vox VT30 hybrid) and on the amp in my Hifi system (full tube). It makes any sound much more pleasant to listen to, more realistic too, more alive.

The big problem with tube amps is the low power they give off compared to the power consumption. For this reason, hybrid amps are an excellent compromise: a first stage of amplification is done by the tubes to obtain a warm sound, and a transistor circuit (IC TPA3221) then takes care of the power output (100W in 4 ohm).

And don’t get me wrong, this little amp (less than 12cm wide) is just as capable of powering desktop speakers as large column speakers!

We find a sound at the same time warm and powerful! Pleasant mediums, highs which do not crunch and well rounded basses.

You may say to me that what is the interest in Sim Racing? Well, if you are reading these lines, if you are not an audiophile, you must be a sound-of-motor-phile. And there too, the tubes are good for the ears, making the bass fatter, and avoiding that the treble saws your tampans in two!

Unbeatable connectivity!

Bluetooth, RCA, optical, coaxial, and USB! To tell the truth, I don’t think I can find any device at home generating sound that can’t be connected to this amp. On my side, it is connected directly to the sound output of my motherboard. From time to time I also connect my phone to it. Note that thanks to Bluetooth 5.0, there is no latency. The amp can be used in bluetooth for games.

Note that the amp automatically goes to standby when it does not receive sound (it automatically turns on when it does). It then emits a click which indicates the change of state. This may seem restrictive but you get used to it very well, and the minister will salute the effort.

The amp is delivered with a remote control (which must already be gathering dust at the bottom of a drawer) which allows to control the amp.

The best desktop amp?

Coupled with small bookshelf speakers, you get a mega-practical amp, and a pleasant sound in any case, ideal to do without the mixes during work sessions. On occasion, you can turn up the volume a bit to make the engines roar and vibrate with them!

Aesthetically, the meter and the lamps bring a very nice soft light.

The amp feeds Sony speakers that date back to the mini Hifi system of my childhood (the one that played cassettes!!!).

Note that the amp requires a 24V/6A power supply which is not provided. 

Clearly, I dream to make a 5.1 for the simulator with this type of amps.

AIYIMA Tube T9:

A warm sound at a sweet price.

This amp is a real success: so many features in such a compact format, with an output sound that never ceases to amaze, it is certainly a total success!

Check the price on Amazon Check the price on Aliexpress Aiyima website

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